Samoa joins global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign

Rebekah Rasmussen Published November 25, 2025 at 1.00pm (AWST)

pacific

Samoa's Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development has joined the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. (Image: Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development/Facebook)

Samoa's Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) has launched 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, joining a global United Nations campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

The international campaign began in 1991 and runs each year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

This year's global theme, 'UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls' focuses on safety in both online and physical spaces.

As part of Samoa's national launch, MWCSD, through its Social Development Division and in partnership with UN Women Pacific, delivered a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) 101 Training for 16 government ministries and agencies in Apia.

The initiative supports Samoa's Pola Puipui National Prevention Framework, which coordinates prevention, protection, and response systems across government and communities.

MWCSD Chief Executive Officer, Loau Donina Tili Vaa, said the training strengthened coordination and accountability across government.

"Every Ministry has a role in preventing violence, protecting our families, and ensuring safe systems," she said.

"Awareness, consistency, and collaboration across Government are essential to building a safer Samoa for all."

The sessions focused on identifying the root causes of violence, recognising different forms of abuse, and strengthening workplace and community safeguarding.

They also aimed to improve early identification, referral, and response pathways to better support survivors.

The Ministry confirmed all MWCSD staff have completed GBV training, ensuring a consistent survivor-centred approach across its work.

MWCSD staff member, Hati Talisau, said the training had reshaped how employees understood their role in prevention.

"I now have a clear understanding of the different forms of abuse, and this has reminded me and strengthened my commitment, as a Ministry staff, to stand firm and take action to stop violence against women and children," he said.

Further sessions will extend to Sui o Nuu, Sui o Tamaitai o Nuu, and Sui o le Malo, as well as youth groups in Savai'i who will take part in prevention workshops on safety and healthy relationships.

Ms Vaa said the campaign represented a collective movement for change.

"This is more than talanoaga. This is a call to action," she said.

"These are not events, they are commitments toward behaviour change, safer homes, and stronger communities."

She also reminded the public that violence occurs in many forms.

"Violence in Samoa is not only physical," she said.

"It is emotional, digital, spiritual, economic, and relational, and it begins long before harm occurs, in attitudes we excuse and silence we allow," she said.

The campaign comes as data shows that gender-based violence remains a critical issue across the Pacific.

The Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates 2023 report by the World Health Organisation and UN partners found the Pacific records some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence globally, more than twice the global average of 25.8 per cent.

Across the region, countries including Fiji (60.7 per cent), Solomon Islands (58.6 per cent), Papua New Guinea (57.6 per cent), and Vanuatu (55.7 per cent) reflect a widespread Pacific challenge requiring united regional action.

The Ministry said its Pola Puipui framework and ongoing GBV 101 training will continue beyond the campaign to strengthen prevention systems across all levels of society.

"Ending violence is a whole of Samoa commitment, āiga, nu'u, lotu, government, NGOs, youth, and civil society walking together," Ms Vaa said.

"As the sun rises, so must we, together."

Details of Samoa's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025 - National Campaign Events can be found online.